Flower Power: Students Dig for a Cause

Neil Armstrong Elementary fourth-graders looked as cheeful as the thousands of marigolds they planted today for their community philanthropy program.

After nursing the Durango Red Marigolds since they were just seeds, students planted the 6,4000 sprouts at the Northeast corner of Bollinger Canyon Road and Camino Ramon Road.

The Sunset Development Company, owner of the Bishop Ranch Business Park,  purchased the bedding plants. The money from this sale will be used to fund local projects through DonorsChoose, a non-profit organization linking students in need with community resources.

Fourth-grader Neal Ichauspe said that he loves planting flowers because of how much it will help other children. "I just want to help them have basic tools like pencils and erasers," he said.

Fellow fourth-graders Connor Hall and Parmik Mehra said that while helping other children was the focus of today's event, they also enjoyed the side benefits of "getting dirty and being outside."

Ichauspe's mother, Teresa Ichauspe, started this project six years ago. "It's just always rewarding to watch it," she said, adding that she never hears the students talk about their own wishes but only about giving back to the community. "The whole day is about others."

Individuals and local businesses are able to participate in contributing matching funds by visiting this website.

Browse our photo gallery of students hard at work on planting day, and find out what they have to say about digging for a cause.